June 25, the anniversary of the imposition of Emergency in 1975 by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, will henceforth be observed as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ annually, announced Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday.
Home Minister Shah revealed this decision via social media platform X, accompanied by a shared gazette notification.
The Government of India has declared June 25th as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas to pay tribute to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency and to recommit the people of India to not support in any manner such gross abuse of power, in future,” read the notification.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for the declaration, noting that it will act as a “reminder of the events that transpired when India's Constitution was disregarded.”
“To observe 25th June as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas will serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India was trampled over. It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency, a Congress unleashed dark phase of Indian history,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
It was on June 25, 1975, that then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in a stark move, dismantled democratic processes and declared a national emergency.
During the nearly two-year span, thousands were imprisoned, and media freedoms were severely curtailed.
The Home Minister emphasized that ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ will recognize the significant sacrifices of those who faced the hardships of the 1975 Emergency.
“The observance of ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ will help keep the eternal flame of individual freedom and the defence of our democracy alive in every Indian. Thus preventing dictatorial forces like the Congress from repeating those horrors,” he said.
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